Hello again…
Summer is winding up and we are flush with garden vegetables and fruits yet, I still love to make these raw nut and seed bars. They are a nice fit after yoga or to help fill in the hunger gaps creeping into my afternoons. I’m one of those people that rarely awaits the pang of hunger. Now and again I like to feel it… but rarely.
Print: {organic raw nut and seed bar}
I use a base of almonds, cashews and dates and sometimes hazelnuts get thrown in depending what’s on hand. I find the cashews help a little more with binding and it’s important for it not to be too dry or they really crumble apart. I’ve tried my new vitamix (which I LOVE) but really this recipe is working better in the cuisinart.
I’ll start with the nuts and dates- brace yourself as it’s a bit noisy and disconcerting to get them crunched up and mixed. My favorite dried fruit to add is cherries. We had a lot dried from 2013. This year I under-ordered and we literally consumed about 20# in a couple weeks with little help from outsiders. I’ve looked up loads of these raw bar recipes and there is a lot of trading ingredients in and out. This is what we like at the moment but I encourage you to experiment.
From there it’s pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, coconut… and why not a few chia and hemp seeds while we’re at it? I do use a little maple syrup for further sweet and bind factors. I’m done with agave- read more from Andrew Weil here or from here. And to continue that side note, here is an interesting sweetener comparison.
Lastly, comes the dark stuff. Cocoa nibs which are still A-OK on my list and raw cocoa powder. oh and a wee pinch of sea salt:)
Then it’s hands on. I line a glass dish with either parchment paper or plastic wrap.
The nut and seed mix is pressed into the dish.
Then covered with plastic wrap and I take a small glass and roll it over the top to really get it glued together.
It spends a night in the fridge before getting cut into squares and boxed up for grabability from the fridge.
I’ll take these to work in a little plastic baggy. There solidity often depends on the batch and how long they are out of the fridge. I’d be lying if I said they hold together like a Lara Bar. But you can easily squeeze it back together to pop in the mouth and the taste is great.
I’ll end on a farm note…
Here are a couple shots of animals at play… sort of… it might induce your curiosity and for sure make you smile. Otis loves Helen. They are working on their mode of interaction.
I’m still keeping him on a leash so we have control if he gets too excited. The goats are not interested as of yet. But Helen I think likes Otis too:)
Wendy's Place 
they look amazing!
LikeLike
Thanks! They have become quite the staple around here.
LikeLike
omg Wendy. Those pictures of Otis and Helen.. JUST TOO CUTE!! I miss them! And of course miss you, Ollie and Cloe too! Much Love, mom
LikeLike
They are a total riot… the best entertainment ever!
LikeLike
I HAVE to try this Wendy. Sounds and looks delicious. Wonderful pics too. Love the dog and the sheep. True love! Gorgeous 🙂
LikeLike
It’s like watching people connect in two languages- they are expressing themselves each in their own way – and it’s so different, sweet and amusing:)
LikeLike
Great raw recipe…right up my alley! 🙂
Sounds like you’ve been having a great summer, and I hope all is going great guns at Chez Chloe!
The animals are cuter than cute. “LOL”.
Things are still very low key here, but I did manage to design and make a bracelet. It took about a day, as opposed to a gown which takes weeks.
Nonetheless, I quite like it, and am making a post, although I can hardly wait for my next gown to emerge.
Take care, Wendy! I look forward to your next post.
LikeLike
Thanks Resa… As you can see I’m still a bit behind the blog ball- answering comments 2 weeks later- but that’s the way it goes sometimes. I’ve been playing around again with GF, refined sugar free recipes again. It’s always experimental and challenging. I like it. These bars are great- and perfect to pack along for the crashing blood sugar moments when you don’t have time yet for a meal.
I’m heading your way to catch up a little, cheers xx
LikeLike
Excellent cycling food Wendy. Love it.
LikeLike
Most definitely. Let me know if you have a chance to give it a try Conor.
best, wendy
LikeLike
LOL on farm pic! I make a healthy chunk made of chunky almond butter, honey, sesame, pistachio, cranberries, sunflower, and carob…all raw and mostly organic. Yummy!
LikeLike
Oh that sounds very good. Are you just whirring it all together and making into bars or balls? I’d like to try that combo.
LikeLike
Gently warm the honey and almond butter, then stir in the rest. Place in and oiled 8X8 and chill overnight. I then cut into 36 chunks. Yum! Bon Appetit!
LikeLike
My sister had a dog that stood on the backs of her cattle. These pics are hilarious. I love all of the nutty sweet goodness of these bars!
LikeLike
I’d really like to see that. Animals are such a hoot. I’d love to introduce Otis to a cow! Thanks for your comment:)
LikeLike
OMG Otis is killing me – is he trying to ride that sheep like a pony? LOL
LikeLike
Something like that. Honestly, I think he likes the feel of the wool on his belly… reminds him of the faux sheepskin on his bed. Really who the hell knows- but Helen didn’t seem to mind a bit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
These bars look so good! I’m in love with Otis and Helen is working her way into my heart. 🙂
LikeLike
Our sheep, Helen and Irene (named after my aunts) are THE friendliest sheep on earth. Maybe they think they are goats. They are in our face for nose and chin rubs like a dog. It’s so funny and so sweet.
LikeLike
I’m not much of a snacker but when I do I like it to be healthy. The seedy nibbles sound great.
LikeLike
What- not a snacker? Lucky you. I take after my sheep and graze about 8 hours a day. These have to be portioned out properly though – they are healthy but a half a batch is about 3 days of calories!!
LikeLike
Otis and Helen remind me of 2.0 and I. I am Otis, and 2.0 is the calm, patient Helen…
LikeLike
Thanks for the visual. I’m glad you have 2.0 in your life:) I hope you are doing well… must go catch up in your world as well!! x
LikeLike
I love the look of these bites, something I will definitely be trying! I don’t ever cook with dates normally so will be great to see how they come out!! 🙂
LikeLike
Dates are sweet and great for binding ingredients as well. They do have a high glycemic index but also have good fiber and mineral content and help keep you regular:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Otis, I heart you. Further proof of the feel-good therapy of dogs 🙂
LikeLike
Ain’t that the truth! You holding up in that heat? It’s getting chilly out this way- I’m almost ready. x
LikeLike
I just pinned these to make this weekend. I’ve been wanting to make bars like this for my daughter’s lunchbox for a while now. Those shots of your puppy and the goat had me laughing so hard…adorable!
LikeLike
Great!- They are a household staple a majority of the time. I just have to be careful on quantity cause I could eat them all day.
Remind me your daughter is in high school? I still make mine food everyday. She’s 16 🙂
The four-leggers in this family keep us completely entertained.
LikeLike